Expanding and contracting tool



July 14, .1931. J. BOYER EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING TOOL Filed June 21. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l :75 s eyoh' Fay er ATTORNEY July 14, 1931. J. BOYER EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING TOOL Filed June 21, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet cfo 367071 ,Eoyer ATTORNEY Patented July 14, 1931 UNITED STATES "PATENT reme JOSEPH BUYER, OF LANSE, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO LEO J. BRENNAN,

OF LANSE, LIICHIGAN I EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING T0011 Application filed. June 21,

This invention relates to expanding and contracting tools, and while especially designed for use in removing and replacing conveyor chain links, may be used with slight variations as an automobile rim tool, jack, or for any purpose where it is necessary to force apart or pull together two relatively movable members, or a stationary and a movable member.

Another object of the invention is the pro-- vision of a tool of the above character in which a pivoted lever will exert a maximum amount of push or pull with a minimum effort, together with means to adjust the position of the tool and hold the same in adjusted position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means whereby the tool may be adjusted to regulate its degree of movement and thus adapt the tool for use with objects of different sizes.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further includes the following novel features and details of construction,

to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of a tool constructed in accordance with the invention and shown arranged for use in connection with a conveyor chain.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the tool in contracted position.

Figure 3 is a view looking at the opposite side of the tool.

Figure 4 is an edge view of the tool with the parts in the position shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a similar view on the line 77 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the tool as shown comprises a base bar 10 whose opposite side edges are provided with longitudinally disposed gr oves 11. One Wa l 12 at these grooves is 1929. Serial No. 372,689.

shorter than the other wall so as to be received within opposed grooves 13 provided in slides 14. Tongues 15 which form one of the walls of the groove 13 have a sliding fit within the grooves 11. The bars lt are thus slidingly mounted upon the base bar 10.

Pivotally secured to the base bar 10 as shown at 16 is an operating lever 17, and pivotally secured to this lever as shown at 18 are the inner ends of connecting bars 19. The outer ends of the bars '19 are pivotally secured to the slide bars 14 and for this purpose, the said slide bars are longitudinally slotted as shown at 20. Headed bolts 21 extend through the slots and through bushings 22 which engage the outer face of the slide bars 14. These bushings are provided with reduced extensions 23, forming trunnions which extend into openings 2 L provided in the outer ends of the connecting bars 19. Washers and nuts 25 are mounted upon the outer ends of the pivot bolts 21, while the heads of these bolts. operate in grooves 26 provided in the base bar 10.

The outer ends of the slide bars 14: are provided with notched jaws 27 which receive and engage extensions 28 of a conveyor chain 29, so that when the slides are moved relatively inward through the operation of the lever 17 the links of the chains 29 between the jaws 27 will be relieved of tension so that they may be conveniently removed and replaced.

It is of course obvious that the jaws 27 may be formed in accordance with the character of the work to be performed and it is not the purpose of the present application to limit the invention to any particular type of jaw.

In order to hold the slide bars in adjusted position, the base bar 10 has bolted thereto as indicated at 30, the opposite ends of a toothed segment 31. A spring influenced dog 32 is carried by the lever 17 and this dog is operated by means of a finger piece 83 which is pivotally mounted upon the handle of the lever 17.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportions and minor details 0 QcnstructiQn the igh i 1 1.1%?

in reserved to make such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appended claim. Having described the invention what is claimed is 5 In a tool of the character described, a base bar having its opposed edges formed with longitudinally disposed grooves, with the parallel walls of each groove of relatively different heights, a pair of identically conm structedadjustable bars mounted upon the base bar, upper and lower angle shaped tongues projecting from each adjustable bar and received by the grooves of the base bar, said adjustable bars being arranged in end .15 to end relation and spaced apart, jaws carried by the outer ends of the adjustable bars, the corresponding inner ends of said adjustable bars being longitudinally slotted an operating lever pivotally mounted upon the base bar at a point between its ends, connecting links having their inner ends pivotally connected with the lever up-on opposite sides of the pivot for the latter, pivot bolts tending through the outer ends of the connecting links and adjustably secured in the slots of said adjustable bars, and means for holding said lever and adjustable bars fixed with relation to the base bar in a given position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOSEPH BOYER. 

